Join us at Laurier

Becoming a Golden Hawk means more than just cheering on our (really good) varsity teams – it means being a student who cares about your community, who works hard in the classroom, and who takes advantage of all the learning opportunities that can happen outside the classroom, too.

Alex Showdra

Biography / Academic Background

I hold a Bachelor of Music (BMus) from Laurier.

Music making has been a crucial part of my life ever since I was a child. As a result, I am a guitarist, banjoist, singer, ukulele player, bassist, teacher and songwriter that performs a variety of musical styles and genres. Primarily as a guitarist, I perform regularly in Southern Ontario as a soloist, bandleader and sideman in projects ranging from jazz combos, musicals, rock bands, chamber music and my own singer-songwriter material.

I have had many opportunities to explore a multitude of musical styles and I have received coachings and masterclasses from renowned musicians such as Glenn Buhr, Pavel Steidl, members of the Penderecki String Quartet, the Canadian Guitar Quartet and Remi Bouchez.

In 2018, I was asked to play banjo with NYO Canada during their Migrations tour. During my time at Laurier I was featured as the guitarist for student-composed "Concerto for Metal Band and Wind Orchestra." I was also a member of the Laurier Jazz Ensemble, classical chamber music group Laurier Guitar Trio, The Bel Air Jazz Combo and have had solo performances around the university.

Furthermore, I have been featured on a number of recordings by Acoustic Dirt, the Aneeq Kalson Band, and Controversial Sharks, as well as other Laurier-based art-rock groups that incorporate contemporary western art music idioms into popular song forms.

Selected Performances

Live at Small Dog Studios by Controversial Sharks (2016)

Teal Alert by Dan Turner (2015)

Live at the Jazz Room by Acoustic Dirt (2014)

Anecdotal Thoughts on Teaching

Music is a language and it can express what words alone cannot. My goal is to show you the expressive and healing powers of music. Music has brought me joy my whole life and I hope to share my life-long passion with you!